Pres. Duterte thanks Japan for continued support for PHL

[adroth]

Pres. Duterte thanks Japan for continued support for PHL
By Jelly F. Musico

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=930833

MANILA, Oct. 12 (PNA) -- President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday thanked Japan for its continued assistance, including patrol ships, to the country.

President Duterte expressed his appreciation to the Japanese people during the 115th anniversary of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), which was attended by Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Kazuhide Ishikawa at the PCG headquarters in Port Area, Manila.

”Let me start by giving our gratitude to Japanese Ambassador Ishikawa, our heartfelt thanks for giving us the ships -- some are here, others are coming -- and your desire to help the Philippines,” President Duterte said in his speech.

The President recognized Japan as one of the biggest contributors to the Filipino people.

”In my city alone, JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) projects are abundant and it has redounded to the benefit of my countrymen over in Mindanao,” said the former Davao City mayor.

”And now that I’m the President, you continue to pour the aid that you feel you want to extend to us and again, we’d like to thank the Japanese people, your Emperor and your government,” he said.

President Duterte said the Philippines needs more ships to patrol the country’s more than 7,000 islands.

”We need the ships. If you count the number of islands of about 7,000 plus, that would count to so many great miles of coastlines. It is not enough but at least we have the ships to begin with. The old ones plus the new one that has been delivered to us, would greatly help us in this endeavor,” he said.

For his part, Ishikawa said that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, during his meeting with President Duterte at the Laos ASEAN Summit last Sept. 6, announced Japan’s intention to provide a new loan for the construction of larger patrol ships for the Philippines.

President Duterte is set to meet again with the Japanese Prime Minister when he visits Japan on October 25-27.

”On this occasion, the two leaders will further discuss ways to enhance friendship ranging from peace and security, fight against terrorism and economic cooperation, such as infrastructure development and people-to-people exchanges,” Ishikawa said.

”We will work together with the government of the Philippines to further deepen our strong relationship,” he added. (PNA)
CVL/JFM

[adroth]

Tokyo matches Beijing’s $9-B grant
By Christina Mendez
Philippine Star13 January, 2017

https://sg.news.yahoo.com/tokyo-matches-beijing-9-b-000000179.html

As Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe wrapped up his two-day visit in the country yesterday, President Duterte’s economic managers were upbeat about the administration’s unprecedented feat in three months after Tokyo matched Beijing’s $9-billion grant to the Philippines.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III and Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez are elated about the outcome of Duterte’s accomplishments for the grant and investments portfolio in the country.

“I think that PRRD (President Rodrigo Roa Duterte) has raised the highest amount in ODA (official development assistance) in Philippine history – about $9 billion each from China and Japan. This is the biggest I think in history,” Dominguez said.

Lopez, in a separate message, shared the same view as he pointed out that the country gained $18 billion in only three months from Beijing and Tokyo.

Duterte has been in office for about six months.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. said the Japan aid package is significant in the wake of the US-led Millennium Challenge Corp.  decision to suspend its grant to the country.

< Edited >

[adroth]

Security cooperation tops PH-Japan’s agenda
Saturday, January 14, 2017
By JULIET C. REVITA

THE Philippine and Japanese Government agreed to help each other in advancing security cooperation and assist in the improvement of maritime facilities to combat potential threats in a bid to achieve just and lasting peace.

In an agreement signed by the top leaders of both countries during the state visit of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe Thursday, January 12, as a maritime nation, President Rodrigo Duterte acknowledged their shared interest in keeping the water resources free from coastal threats through enhancing maritime resources.

“Capacity-building and assets acquisition and upgrading will be a centerpiece of this collaboration. We hope to fast-track the delivery to the Philippines of key assets already in the pipeline and the acquisition of new ones,” Duterte said. Both parties signed the agreements involving maritime cooperation to promote maritime safety, security and marine environment protection through joint exercises, visits by patrol vessels and aircraft and capacity enhancement.

Read more: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/local-news/2017/01/14/security-cooperation-tops-ph-japans-agenda-520095
Follow us: @sunstaronline on Twitter | SunStar Philippines on Facebook

[adroth]

From aid to the PCG to Yolanda

https://youtu.be/159MthmQ268